Town Crier Events: Feb. 26-March 12

Place: English Congregational United Church of Christ, Third and Rhodes streets

Tickets: $10 for a barbecue dinner; $2 for kids' hot dog dinner

More information: 630-556-3986

Dine-in or carry-out. Dinner catered by South Moon BBQ and includes a pulled pork sandwich, beans, coleslaw and corn muffin. Reservations are recommended; tickets at the door will be limited.

CORTLAND

Preschool Story Time

Time: 10 a.m.

Date: Every Wednesday and Thursday; next, Feb. 26

Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road

More information: 815-756-7274 or cortlandlibrary.com

For children 3 and older. No registration required.

Crochet Class

Time: 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 26

Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road

More information: 815-756-7274 or cortlandlibrary.com

Third-Grade and Up Writer's Group

Time: 4:30 p.m.

Date: Mondays; next, March 3

Place: Cortland Community Library

More information: 815-756-7274 or cortlandlibrary.com

Evening Story and Craft

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Every Tuesday; next, March 4

Place: Cortland Community Library, 63 S. Somonauk Road

More information: 815-756-7274 or cortlandlibrary.com

CRESTON

Shrove Tuesday Dinner

Time: 5 – 7 p.m.

Date: Tuesday, March 4

Place: St. John's Lutheran Church

More information: 815-384-3720

Celebrate Mardi Gras with a free meal of New Orleans specialties, including jambalaya, red beans and rice and pralines.

DeKALB

Toddler Time

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 26

Place: DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St.

More information: 815-756-9568 ext. 250 or theresaw@dkpl.org

Local farmers Paul and Aaron Butler will bring a newborn lamb to the library for this special song, story and craft time all about sheep.

Dietitian's Dish

Time: 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 26

Place: kishHealth System Cancer Center at Kishwaukee Hospital

More information: 815-748-2958 or www.kishprograms.org

A clnical dietitian offers free food demonstrations and ways to incorporate healthy eating into your life. Free, no registration required.

Teacher in the Library

Time: 4 – 5:15 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 26

Place: DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St.

More information: 815-756-9568 ext. 250 or dkpl.org

A retired teacher will tutor DeKalb School District students in grades 3 through 5 in all subjects. Limited to five students; register by phone, online or at the youth desk.

Free Community Meal

Time: 5 – 7 p.m.

Date: Every Wednesday; next, Feb. 26

Place: Feed'em Soup, 122 S. First St.

More information: feedemsoup.org

For transportation, call 815-293-7433. Diners pay what they can; those who cannot pay can eat for free.

E-book Help

Time: 6 – 9 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 26

Place: DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St.

Get help downloading e-books to mobile devices. Free, drop-in service.

Muslim Journeys: 'The Butterfly Mosque'

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 26

Place: DeKalb Public Library

Northern Illinois University professor Ismael Montana will lead a discussion of the book by G. Willow Wilson.

Blood Drive

Time: 3 – 7 p.m.

Date: Thursday, Feb. 27

Place: University Plaza, 900 Crane Drive

Intro to MS Word

Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Date: Thursday, Feb. 27

Place: DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St.

More information: 815-756-9568 ext. 220 or dkpl.org

Learn the basics of creating, editing and printing a Word document. Sign up online, by phone or at the reference desk.

'Woyzeck'

Time: 7:30 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays and March 1

Dates: Feb. 27 – March 1

Place: Huntley Middle School, 1515 S. First St.

Tickets: Adults $16, seniors $13, students $8

More information: 815-753-1600 or www.niu.edu/theatre

This play from the Northern Illinois University School of Theatre and Dance tells the story of a 19th-century poor soldier and wigmaker who slowly goes insane, culminating in a murder in a fit of jealous rage.

Kish Art to the Community

Time: 7 – 9 p.m.

Dates: Friday, Feb 28

Place: DeKalb Area Women's Center, 1021 State St.

More information: 815-758-1351 or dawc@niu.edu

A group exhibition of art by current students at Kishwaukee College. The exhibit includes a variety of media, including painting, photography, ceramics and digital art.

Learn about breast-feeding, where to find informaiton and support, and how labor decisions can impact breast-feeding. Partners are encouraged to attend. Registration is required.

Buck-a-Bag Book Sale

Time: Library hours

Dates: March 1 and 2

Place: DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St.

More information: 815-756-9568 ext. 220 or dkplref@dkpl.org

Fill a plastic grocery sack (provided) with used books for $1.

Stage Coach Players Auditions

Time: 1 – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 7 – 9 p.m. Monday

Dates: March 1 – 3

Place: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 511 Russell Road

More information: www.stagecoachers.com

Auditions for Stage Coach Players' 2014 season, including a to-be-determined radio show, "Cheaper by the Dozen," "Twelve Angry Jurors," "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," "Arsenic and Old Lace," "Urinetown," and "To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday."

Super Siblings

Time: 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Date: Saturday, March 1

Place: Kish Hospital Roberts Conference Center

Cost: $10 per family

More information: 815-748-8962 or www.kishprograms.org

Children 3-5 will learn how babies look and behave. Registration required.

Pancakes, pork sausage, eggs cooked to order, toast, coffee, orange juice and milk. Biscuits and gravy are available for $4 for a full order or $2 for a half order.

Lightwire Theater

Time: 2 p.m.

Date: Sunday, March 2

Place: The Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St.

Tickets: Adults $15-$25, children 12 and younger $10-$20

More information: 815-758-1225 or www.egyptiantheatre.org

Lightwire, which reached the semi-finals on season 7 of "America's Got Talent," brings its stunning combination of dance, puppetry and electronics to DeKalb. The show is performed in complete darkness, featuring 60 electroluminescent creatures with an evocative musical score that ranges from classical to pop.

Art Exhibit Opening Reception

Time: 2 – 4 p.m.

Date: Sunday, March 2

Place: The Art Box, 308 E. Lincoln Highway

More information: 815-758-0313 or dan@dekalbgallery.com

An opening exhibit for the "American Wildlife" photography exhibit by Tom Smith.

Jazz in Progress

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Sunday, March 2

Place: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road

A free concert by this local big band-style jazz combo to celebrate the church's 50th anniversary.

Tales for Twos

Time: 9:30 a.m.

Date: Every Tuesday; next, March 4

Place: DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St.

A special story time for 2-year-old children. Older and younger children are also welcome to attend.

DeKalb County Community Gardens Meeting

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Date: Tuesday, March 4

Place: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb, 158 N. Fourth St.

More information: 815-793-0950 or dkenney53@hotmail.com

The first meeting of 2014 will open with an educational program on cooking with early spring greens, then there will be a business meeting. All are welcome to attend.

Northern Illinois University experts will talk about alternative, environmentally-firendly forms of pest control and discuss pesticides and pest problems. Food will be available to purchase from Feed'em Soup, which keeps the proceeds from food sales. STEM Cafes are informal talks in which the audience is encouraged to interact with the experts.

No registration required to try out a class in this Latin-dance-inspired, calorie-burning workout.

NIU Steel Band for Neighbors House

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Date: Friday, March 7

Place: Evangelical Free Church of Sycamore-DeKalb, at the corner of Bethany Road and First Street

Tickets: $15

More information: www.neighborshouse.org

Tickets are available online only. This concert of world music by the NIU Steel Band will benefit Neighbors' House's local literacy and academic enrichment programs.

A Formal Affair

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Date: Saturday, March 8

Place: Duke Ellington Ballroom, NIU

Tickets: $125

More information: 815-748-9954 or www.kishformalaffair.org

A cocktail reception, elegant dinner, open bar and dancing to live music by the Gold Coast Orchestra. Proceeds support health care advances at KishHealth System and KishHealth System Hospice.

Midwest Quarterfinal of the 2014 International Championship of College A Cappella

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Saturday, March 8

Place: DeKalb High School auditorium

More information: www.varsityvocals.com

Tickets: General admission $20, students $10

Community Yoga

Time: 3 – 4:15 p.m.

Date: Second Sunday of each month; next, March 9

Place: Creative Therapeutics, 400 E. Hillcrest Drive

This is a free yoga class open to the community. No registration required. All ages and abilities welcome. Wear loose-fitting clothing; mats will be provided.

GENOA

Walk-in Blood Pressure Clinic

Time: 9 – 11 a.m.

Date: Wednesdays; next, Feb. 26

Place: KishHealth Family and Specialty Care

A community wellness professional monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure information and a tracking card. No registration necessary.

Maple Syrup Fest

Time: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Date: Saturday, March 1

Place: Russell Woods Forest Preserve

This free event includes seeing how trees are tapped for sap and how the sap is made into syrup, learning about Native American tools and skills used in day-to-day life from 10-11 a.m. and again from 1 to 4:30 p.m., learning to identify trees and remove invasive species at 11 a.m., and a wildlife presentation with live animals at 2 p.m.

Bingo

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Every Tuesday; next, March 4

Place: Genoa Veterans Home, 311 S. Washington St.

HINCKLEY

Story Time

Time: 10 a.m.

Dates: Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; next, Feb. 26

Place: Hinckley Public Library, 100 N. Maple St.

For children ages 15 months through 5 years, with a caregiver.

LEGO Group

Time: 4 p.m.

Date: Every Friday; next, Feb. 28

Place: Hinckley Public Library, 100 N. Maple St.

Open to all ages; please do not bring LEGOs from home.

Antiques Appraisal Fundraising Event

Time: 6 p.m.

Date: Monday, March 3

Place: Hinckley Community Building, 120 Maple St.

Cost: $15 per item for appraisal; no cost to watch

More information: 815-286-7434 or 815-286-3220

People interested in having items appraised must register in advance at the Hinckley Public Library, 100 Maple St. Fee is due at the time of registration.

KINGSTON

Swiss Steak Supper

Time: 5 and 6:15 p.m.

Date: Saturday, March 1

Place: Kingston United Methodist Church, 121 W. First St.

Cost: Adults $9, children $4

Complete dinner, including dessert. Carry-outs and gift certificates are available.

Learn about the root cause of disease, how mineral balance maintains health, how to recognize silica deficiency and mineral-depleting substances to avoid. Reservations required.

Charity Dog Wash and Bake Sale

Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Date: Saturday, March 1

Place: Huckleberry's Pet Parlor, 423 N. Main St.

Cost: Varies based on dog's size

More information: 815-899-3435 or huckleberryspetparlor.com

Dog wash includes wash, blow dry, nail trimming, ear cleaning, cologne and bandanna. Prices vary based on dog's size; prices are available at huckleberryspetparlor.com. Proceeds support the new building project of St. Mary's Catholic School in Sycamore.

'Dr. Seuss Is On the Loose: Literacy Fun With Lots of Hoots'

Time: 10 a.m.

Date: Saturday, March 1

Place: Sycamore Public Library

More information: 815-409-5975 or 815-751-4784

For parents, teachers, and children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Biographical information on Dr. Seuss, then a discussion of ideas on how to use his writing to encourage kids to read and write in school and at home.

Irish Dinner Dance

Time: 6 p.m.

Date: Saturday, March 1

Place: St. Mary's Sycamore, 322 Waterman St.

Tickets: Adults $25 in advance, $30 at the door; children in kindergarten through eighth grade, $10

More information: 815-501-6340 or ghulmes@gmail.com

A traditional Irish dinner, plus Irish musicians, dancers, a cash bar and a raffle. Advance tickets available at the church after Masses and at the parish hall.

Meditation Monday

Time: 7 – 8:15 p.m.

Date: First Monday of each month; next, March 3

Place: Wise Owl Wellness Center, 1101 DeKalb Ave., Suite 4

Cost: $10

More information: www.wiseowlwellness.com

Guided meditation and visualization to help you approach the week with calm and focus.

Learn about the Sycamore History Museum's gardens and planned programs using the gardens this year.

Bunco

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: First Thursday of each month; next, March 6

Place: Sycamore Veterans Home, 121 S. California St.

Cost: $10

Discover Your Optimal Health

Time: 7 p.m.

Date: Second Monday of each month; next, March 10

Place: St. Mary's Parish Activity Center, 322 Waterman St.

More information: 815-793-9065

Learn strategies to take off weight forever and move toward optimal health.

WATERMAN

Bookworms Story Time

Time: 12:30 p.m.

Date: Wednesdays; next, Feb. 26

Place: Clinton Township Public Library

Stories for children 3 to 5.

Walk-in Blood Pressure Clinic

Time: 9 – 11 a.m.

Date: Thursdays; next, Feb. 27

Place: KishHealth Family and Specialty Care

A community wellness professional monitors blood pressure weekly. Receive blood pressure information and a tracking card. No registration necessary.

Indian Creek CCC Auction

Time: 11 a.m.

Date: Sunday, March 9

Place: Indian Creek Middle School, 425 S. Elm St.

More information: 815-761-1122 or susan.kauffman@mchsi.com

Lunch available starting at noon; bidding begins at 12:30 p.m. A list of items up for auction can be found at indiancreekschools.org/ichs/parentorg/ccc/auction.htm. All proceeds are used to fund programs or needed items for students and teachers in Indian Creek District 425.